Underneath the hard metal casing, there's a device Lynch had never seen. It seems there is a large chamber where flames burn and transmit energy. From that furnace, the mage found many coal cinders; other than that, there was nothing unusual.

Lynch was certain this was the first time on the Anriel Continent that someone discovered a device capable of generating such large energy without relying on magic, even more incredible than the inventions of dwarves. He carefully collected every piece of debris and then attempted to reconstruct the device.

Zilvra followed him all along, watching him with concentration. The Dark Elf finally understood what had always attracted her: the mage's concentration. 'When he was in Ratris City, fighting the undead army, on his journey north, and even when preparing for the moonlight dinner, he was always so focused that nothing could distract him, not even the end of the world. Now he was focused on this strange device before him, but soon, his gaze would return to her, and never leave again.'

"Obviously, these coals here are of better quality than any I've ever seen," Zilvra said. "Sometimes the Gray Dwarves would dig up such things underground and use them for simple illumination. But since the Drow Elves don't like such bright light, they never bought them. If you want to know more, you'll have to ask the Gray Dwarves."

Lynch nodded and, using mana, pieced together a few fragments. "This thing can provide great power; just looking at the weight of that steel hammer, is evident. If such a siege hammer could be mass-produced, then no city wall could withstand the Snake-man armies."

"But they only brought this thing out at the very last moment," Zilvra said. "There is only one explanation, which is that they don't want to expose such a thing; the number of such siege hammers is exceedingly few."

"If in the sacred city of Pate, the Snake-men secretly manufacture such things, then the quantity should not be small." Lynch turned back and looked at Zilvra. "What worries me most is that the big serpent seems to possess knowledge we do not. If it could think of such a device, there might be other things. Next time, or the time after, what will we use to deal with its potentially incessant methods?"

"Don't worry too much; after all, the Snake-men haven't launched a full-scale attack, and the whole of Pate has only this place been attacked," Zilvra comforted. "No matter what, they can't overlook one fact: the disparity in numbers. The Snake-men might have the advantage for this fortress; but what about the whole continent?"

"I once encountered those Snake-men, and back then, they were far more troublesome than now." Lynch stopped his work and found a clean stone to sit on; it was once part of a sturdy city wall. "It's not that my strength has greatly improved now, but the Snake-men indeed aren't like they used to be. They once had Lightning Immunity, unaffected even by the thunder that could melt steel rods. But now, in the face of a Lightning Storm, they are split in half like ordinary humans. Although this is a good phenomenon, what caused them to lose their Lightning Immunity?"

"You mean, they are reducing their abilities to increase their numbers? How is that possible?"

"Nothing is impossible; magic can achieve things far beyond this," Lynch replied. "Since cities can fly in the sky, what's difficult about a spell that merely enhances fertility?"

Zilvra nodded, regarding magic, she could only rely on her imagination to comprehend. That was not her realm; it was Lynch's playground. If she could have divine power like Soka, it would be amazing; at least she could create some miraculous effects, like healing wounds or turning foul water into sweet springs. She also had the blood of an angel within her, maybe she could possess similar abilities, she could ask Soka about such things next time.

Her current task was to remain by Lynch's side, watching other directions while he concentrated. However, Zilvra wasn't sure if this was necessary; she doubted anyone would attempt to attack the mage again. After the "performance" a few days ago, the title of "Lightning Terminator" had begun to spread among the soldiers. Everyone looked at this young man who spent all day around the siege hammer with reverence, always tipping their hats in salute when passing by him. However, for days, no one had approached the mage to say a single word; they didn't have that courage. Those long-held malign words about mages were more deeply ingrained than the fact that Lynch saved them.

Sometimes, Zilvra wondered, if it weren't for Morgan revealing her identity, would those foolish soldiers have turned their weapons against this mysterious mage? In fact, Zilvra noticed that many of Wislin's men came from Haisas. These fellow townsmen of Lynch showed no friendliness at all, instead, they spread bad words about mages.

Those gullible people! Zilvra felt somewhat regretful for Lynch; what he did now only strengthened the authenticity of those rumors. The supplies he brought, along with those magic armors, had all become media for mage's spells, filth used to corrupt the Paladin's morale. She once found things Lynch made in the waste pile, those fine magic items were just thrown away. Those soldiers would rather spend a lot of money to get even the simplest amulet from the Mage Association but didn't trust things given by others, thinking it was a conspiracy.

"Zilvra, what are you thinking about? Did you hear what I just said?" Lynch waved his hand in front of the Dark Elf, bringing her back from her contemplation. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about how to make you take a break," Zilvra quickly said. "Always working hard for these foolish folks is a dull matter. Leave these remnants to the dwarves; Barrend seems quite interested in them."

"I was thinking the same," Lynch looked at Zilvra's evasive demeanor with interest; such a gaze almost made the Dark Elf fall into rage. He laughed and said, "Zilvra, look at the people around, they all greet you. Your charm attracts attention anywhere."

"Wake up, Lynch," Zilvra said. "They are either too afraid of you or want to use simple greetings as an excuse to avoid you. If we were not in this city gate position, would anyone come to find you to say even a word?"

Lynch's face still held that smile, yet Zilvra could see there wasn't a hint of happiness within. Even possessing magic power capable of destroying the world, even becoming a Drow who could wander freely in the Elf Kingdom, the two of them, destined to be a lonely pair.

Lynch was silent for a while, then asked, "Zilvra, what is the maximum lifespan of a Dark Elf?"

"Over four thousand years, but there are a few examples who live especially long," Zilvra replied. "Why are you asking this?"

"I am thinking of two things," Lynch said, tapping the siege hammer before him with his magic wand. "It seems that the faster a creature reproduces, the shorter its lifespan. Just like elves and beastmen, the difference between them is so great. If the Snake-men are now sped up in their reproduction process by magic, how are they rapidly trained into warriors within a shortened lifespan? Have you ever experienced rapidly forming an army in the Dark World?"

"Yes, I once served as a Martial Arts Master, before Martial Monk Regula. As long as you have enough painful whips and big chunks of meat, you can have an army," Zilvra said softly. "And the second thing?"

With a serious expression, Lynch answered, "I am considering how to magically extend my lifespan, but not in the way of a Witch Demon. I don't want you to spend the remaining millennia alone."

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